Dead Wrath by T. G. Ayer

knew their bloodline consisted of a strong strain of Loki's genes?"
    "Yeah, that's exactly what I'm worried about." Her eyes still flashed, but the fight in her looked like it was slowly dying.
    "You don't need to worry. I've partnered him with Enya so he should be too busy looking after her to bother you much. I figured it would allow him to ease into the team and allow you all to accept him in at a slower pace. He's hopefully going to be handy with the technology just in case." I was hopeful he would be, but I hadn't yet discussed that role with him.
    Aimee still looked skeptical, but she also appeared to be a little convinced too. "I guess there is that. A geek would be useful."
    "Don't worry, Aimee. It will all be fine. He'll fit in well enough in the end." I patted her shoulder.
    "Yeah, we'll see," she said softly. "So what's his little sister meant to do? Isn't she a little young for field work?"
    I grinned. "If only you'd seen it," I said, recalling Enya's power. "She can create heat as if she's a furnace. Enough to melt stuff. Could come in handy."
    "Wow." Her eyebrows shot toward her hairline. "But don't we have the dragon princess for that?"
    I shook my head. "Siri makes fire with flames. Enya just makes the heat. Quite thing to see." The excitement coming back flushed my skin. "Her body changes. Her skin looks like a log turned to ash, like white bark."
    "Sounds cool," said Aimee, her shoulders finally relaxed.
    "Oh, I think I'll leave you in charge of our two girls. And if it makes you feel better, you are welcome to keep an eye on Aidan."
    "You want me to babysit him or spy on him?" She raised an eyebrow.
    I snorted. "What do you think?"
    "Fine." She sighed as if I'd just given her the task of cleaning out the cage of a hungry tiger. "As long as I have permission to run a sword through him if he puts a foot wrong."
    I glared at her in answer, then choked back a laugh as she rolled her eyes and walked back to the group. I followed close on her heels. But as we reached the group, someone walked into the room. His arrival drew shouts of happiness and huge grins from everyone who knew Brody.
    But my stomach hardened and I felt a little ill.
    He was dressed in black leather, the fabric fortified with Glasir leaf magic. A while ago, Frigga had developed the new softer and more impenetrable Glasir chainmail. After its success, she'd commissioned the rest of the black garments to be redesigned using the Glasir magic, making it stronger, more durable, and harder to penetrate. Frigga's workers had also designed a black undershirt that went beneath the upper body dress of silver chainmail. And finally, the long black coat completed the picture, making him look decidedly attractive.
    Yet still pale and thin.
    I drew abreast of him, but the look he gave me was one filled with worry.
    "What's wrong?" I asked, my forehead rippling with a frown.
    "Er ... nothing really. I just thought you'd want to send me straight back to recuperate."
    "Why would I do that? If you're here, it means you're ready to join us. The only thing I would expect is that you leave the more strenuous stuff to us." I spoke with authority, more so because I wanted to ensure that Brody would listen instead of doing something foolish and reckless.
    His expression was slightly relieved. "Thanks. I'll behave. It's my first time out with you anyway. I don't think I'm in any condition to try my hand at being a hero." He gave a self-deprecating smirk.
    "Hey. The last thing anyone here is concerned with is being a hero," said Aidan. My gaze jerked to his face, and I had to admit I was surprised he'd spoken those words. I paid closer attention as he continued. "We are all just here to do our part. If the situation requires bravery, then so be it. But I don't think anyone here is looking at this or any other mission as a route to heroism."
    I was impressed, and from the look on Aimee's face, she was too. I glanced at Joshua and he gave me a small smile. He hadn't